'Dancing' leads overall ratings; FOX, CBS top demo

Fast National ratings for Monday, May 5, 2008

"Dancing with the Stars" brought Monday night's biggest audience to ABC, but CBS and FOX scored the best in the demographic race.

ABC averaged an 8.7 rating/14 share in primetime. CBS, 7.3/12, beat FOX, 6.7/10, for second. NBC, 5.6/9, came in fourth, and The CW was well back at 1.6/2.

FOX and CBS shared the lead among adults 18-49, each scoring a 3.8 rating. ABC took third in the advertisers' favorite demographic with a 3.4. NBC averaged 2.6 and The CW 1.0.

"Dancing with the Stars" dominated the 8 p.m. hour with an 11.4/19. FOX was a distant second with "Bones," 5.1/8. CBS and NBC tied for third in households, but the Eye's "Big Bang Theory," 4.7/8, and "How I Met Your Mother," 5.2/8, brought in a few more total viewers than "Deal or No Deal." The CW got a 1.6/3 from "Gossip Girl."

ABC held the overall lead at 9 p.m. with "Dancing," 12.3/18, and "Samantha Who?," 7.1/11. "House" scored an 8.2/12 for FOX (and led the hour in adults 18-49). "Two and a Half Men," 8.5/13, and "Rules of Engagement," 6.6/10, kept CBS ahead of NBC and another hour of "Deal or No Deal," 5.7/9. "One Tree Hill" held steady for The CW.

"CSI: Miami," 9.3/16, moved CBS to the front of the pack at 10 p.m. "Medium" drew a 6.1/1 for NBC, while "The Bachelor: London Calling" posted a 5.0/8 for ABC.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.